Hot and cold water supply unit



April 29, 1958 R. w. LEWIS 2,332,569

HOT AND coLD WATER SUPPLY UNIT Filed April 21, 1955 Jig.4

(A V 4 ll 1.5 I 34' H M Z ,63 4 ,30 INVENTOR.

United States Patent l V are HOT AND COLD WATER SUPPLY UNIT Russell W. Lewis, Wheaten, Ill., assignor to Fairbanks, Morse & (10., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application April 21, 1955, Serial No. 503,000

4 Claims. (Cl. 257-) This invention relates to domestic water systems and particularly to a close-coupled pump and storage tank assembly provided as a complete unit affording both hot and cold water supply.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a water system of simplified construction and eflicient arrangement, operable automatically for establishing and maintaining domestic service supply of both hot and cold water.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water system adapted for storing and dispensing both hot and cold water, and so constructed as to afford a unitary structure including an enclosing housing or cabinet.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a water system unit of the character indicated, wherein the component parts thereof are so arranged in compact yet easily accessible relation in the unit as to permit easy and economical maintenance and repair of the parts.

Further objects features, and advantages of this invention will appear or be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view in perspective of the cabinet which houses the operating members of the water system, showing the necessaiy pipe connections leading therefrom.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates in general, a unitary water system structure of the hydra-pneumatic type. The operational members thereof, indicated generally by the numeral 11, are housed within a cabinet member 12, said cabinet comprising a base portion 14 supporting vertical side sections 15 and having a removable side panel member 16 and a removable top member 18, said removable members being suitably secured thereto, as by screws 19. Removal of either or both the side panel 16 and top member 18 provides ready access to any and all of the operational members 11, for maintenance and repair thereof.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, strip or space members 20 positioned upon the cabinet base portion 14 are utilized to support a plate member 22, the latter being of a size sufficient to cover the entire cabinet base area and of adequate strength to provide proper support for the operational members 11.

A pump unit 23, comprising a pump portion 24 and motor means 26, mounted on support board 27, is disposed within the cabinet 12 with the board secured to plate member 22 by bolts 28. Inlet pipe suitably coupled as at fitting 31 to the suction side of the pump portion 24, is connected by proper pipe construction (not shown) to a well or other source of water supply (not shown). A dual fitting 32 at the discharge side of pump iii) 2,832,569 Patented Apr. 29, 1958 portion 24, provides water outlet means to cold water storage or pressure tank 34 through vertical support and connecting pipe 35, and to outlet pipe 36, the latter feeding service lines in a manner to be described. Pressure tank 34. is arranged as shown, to contain service supply of cold water under pressure established by a volume of air in the upper portion of the tank, compressed to a predetermined pressure obtaining in the normal service-filled condition of the tank. Such volume of air at the desired pressure is determined and maintained through cooperation of a suitable air volume control and a suitable tank pressure-responsive switch in the pump motor energizing circuit, all in accordance with well known practice. To this end, an air volume control device 33 secured to and in communication with the storage space of tank 34, is connected by means of tube 37 to the suction side of pump portion 24, and functions in a well known manner to replenish said tank with air upon operation of the pump, as to make-up for that air which is absorbed by the water stored in the tank and otherwise removed from the tank, and hence restore the air to the desired volume. Also, an adjustable or suitable motor control pres-sure switch 41 is mounted on the side of motor means 26, is connected by means of tube to the discharge side of pump portion 24, and is provided. for controlling motor operation in response to predetermined pressure changes in tank 34.

Also disposed within the cabinet 12 is a hot water tank 38, said tank being of cylindrical stand-up type with a storage capacity relatively much greater than that of cold water tank 34. A shroud or partition member 39 arranged as shown in Fig. 4, defines with adjacent portions of the cabinet, a compartment within which the hot water tank is positioned. The compartment is provided to contain adequate insulating material, such as insulation 45 of suitable fibrous or other material, surrounding said tank. A heating element 40 of flexible nature, is wrapped around the outer surface 42 of tank 38, and one end 43 of said heating element is connected to terminal block 44 in insulated support on shroud 3?, the terminal block being connected by cable 4-6 to an electrical plug receptacle 47 mounted on cabinet side portion 15. A thermostatic control device 48 (Fig. 2) included in cable connection 46 and carried externally on partition member 39, is employed in a well known manner to con trol operation of the heating element, as for maintenance of the water stored in tank 38 at a desired constant temperature.

Outlet pipe 36 communicates, by means of suitable couplings and connections, with cold water service pipe or line 50, the latter leading to and terminating at spigots (not shown) or like means for tapping the service line and withdrawing water therefrom. An intermediate or take-off pipe 51 (Fig. 4) provided with one-way valve 52, has one end 54 in communication with service line through T coupling 55, while the other end 56 of said take off pipe is connected as at fitting 58, to the hot water tank 38. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the top of tank 38 is provided with an outlet or service line 59 which leads to and terminates at one or more spigots (not shown) for withdrawing hot water from said tank.

In initial operation, upon installation of the unit, pump 23 will operate in response to closure of switch 41 to draw water through inlet pipe 30 from a well or other suitable source of water supply and discharge at pump fitting 32 into pipe 36 and on through service line 5h. Also, the pump delivered water will divide at coupling to flow into pipe 51, through valve 52, and into tank 38. When tank 38 is completely filled with water, the continued rise or overflow of said water will pass into service line 59. When the water lines of the system are thus filled and as suming all service outlets are closed, continued operation of the pump unit 23 will cause water to be directed upwardly through connecting pipe 35 into storage tank 34. As the tank fills, air trapped therein will undergo compression, and when the volume of air thus compressed reaches a predetermined pressure, such pressure as reflected at the discharge side of the pump and in tube 45, will cause actuation of the pressure switch 41 to stop operation of the pump unit. Operation of heating element 40 will heat the water in tank 38 until said water reaches a desired predetermined temperature, at which time thermostatic device 44 will operate to cut off current flow to the heating element. Temporary opening of the service line spigots may be effected during initial installation, as to clear the system (except tank 34) of air contained therein. Once filled in the manner hereinabove described, the water system will be in condition for normal service operation.

When service line 59 is opened for the withdrawal of hot water from tank 38, the water pressure maintained by the compressed air volume in tank 34, is sufiicient to cause cold water flow from tank 34, through pipe 36, coupling 55, and valve 52, to tank 38 thereby introducing cold water into the bottom portion of tank 38 with the resultant discharge of hot water from the top portion of said tank through line 59. Should the line 59 remain open long enough so that the resultant withdrawal of replacement water from tank 34 reduces the air pressure therein to or below a predetermined minimum value, such reduced pressure reflected at the discharge portion of the pump and in pressure switch line 45, will cause actuation of pressure switch 41 to effect operation of pump unit 23. Should service line 59 remain open during operation of pump unit 23, then replacement water for the system will be supplied by the pump drawing directly from the well. closure of service line 59, to re-fill tank 34 and efiect compression of the air therein to the proper pressure for the system, whereupon pressure switch 41 will operate to cut ed the pump unit.

Likewise, should service line 50 be opened to withdraw cold water, the air pressure in tank 34 will cause water flow from said tank, through pipe 36, and on to line 50 for discharge. Withdrawal of water from tank 34 to an extent such that the air pressure therein is diminished sufficiently to cause actuation of pressure switch 41, will cause pump operation in the manner described above relative to hot water withdrawal. It should be noted that valve 52 in the take off line 51 for supplying water to tank 38, is a one-way type valve arranged to prevent flow of water from tank 38 into service line 50.

It is apparent from the foregoing description, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, that the present invention provides an automatic unit type water system affording supply of both hot and cold water, which is of simple construction and efficient arrangement. many water systems now in use, the particular structure shown provides a simple, self-contained hot and cold watr supply unit which is not only economical to fabricate, but is relatively mobile and easy to install. Furthermore, and because the cooperating members are arranged compactly yet readily individually accessible in the unit, maintenance and repair of the several parts or members is minimized as to time and eiiort required therefor.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that many variations and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the broad aspects of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Having now described the invention, what is claimed l. In a hot and cold Water supply unit of the character described, a housing providing a base, side walls and a top wall removable for top access to the housing interior, at least one of said side walls including a panel removable for lateral access to the housing interior, a support plate Pumping operation will continue after Unlike on said base within the housing, a pump and drive motor therefor, mounted on said support plate, said pump having an inlet for connection to a source of water supply and a discharge outlet including an outlet fitting, a cold water pressure storage tank, a short-length pipe element connecting the tank to said outlet fitting and supporting the tank above said pump, cold water service supply pipe means connected to said outlet fitting, a hot water storage tank in said housing having a water inlet and an outlet, a conduit between said hot water tank inlet and said pipe means, said conduit including valve means adapted and arranged for permitting passage of water in the conduit only in the direction of said hot water tank inlet, water heating means operatively associated with said hot water tank, and hot water service supply pipe means connected to said hot water tank outlet.

2. In a hot and cold water supply unit, the combination as defined by claim 1 further characterized by a partition in the said'housing cooperating with portions of the housing side walls adjacent the partition to form a compartment, the said hot Water storage tank being disposed within said compartment, and insulation material filling said compartment about the said tank therein.

3. In a hot and cold water supply unit of the character described, a housing providing a base, side walls and a top wall removable for top access to the housing interior, at least one of said side Walls including a panel removable for lateral access to the housing interior, a support plate on said base within the housing, a pump unit mounted on said support plate, said pump unit having a motor portion and a pump portion, including a suction side fitting and a dual discharge side fitting having two discharge ports, motor control pressure switch means operatively connecting the motor portion of said pump unit and the discharge side of the pump portion of said pump unit, inlet pipe means connected to the suction side fitting of said pump portion and communicating with a source of water supply, a pressure tank for storage of water, means connecting the tank to one of said discharge ports and mounting the tank above and adjacent to the pump portion, providing communication with said pump portion, air volume control means in communication with the pressure tank for maintaining volume of air therein whereby water stored in said tank is maintained under pressure, a first service line having at least one tap therefrom, pipe means connecting said first service line to the other, discharge port of said dual discharge fitting, a vertical water storage tank disposed adjacent the pump unit and mounted on the support plate, take-off pipe means connecting the storage tank with the first service line, said take-off pipe means including valve means adaptedand arranged for permitting water flow only from the first service line to the storage tank, a second service line leading from said storage tank and having at least onetap therefrom, and water heating means operatively associated with said storage tank.

4. In a unitary water system of the type described, in combination, a pump unit including a pump portion and a motor portion, said pump portion having a suction side fitting and a discharge side fitting, the latter providing two discharge ports, one opening upwardly, the other opening laterally, means connecting said suction side fitting to a source of water supply, a pressure tank for storage of water, a short-length pipe element connecting the tank to said one discharge port and supporting the tank above said pump portion, a first service line connected to said other discharge port and having at least one tap therefrom, a water storage tank disposed adjacent said pump unit and having heating means operatively associated therewith, short-length take-off pipe means connecting the storage tank with said first service line, and providing valve meansadapted and arranged for permitting passage of Water only from the first service line to the storage tank, a second service line leading from the storage tank and having at least one tap therefrom, and motor control References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hannum Mar. 14, 1876 6 Hollis Nov. 16, 1920 Brown Feb. 22, 1921 Autrey July 30, 1929 Morse et a1. May 1, 1934 Jepertinger Sept. 6, 1938 Armstrong et a1 Dec. 16, 1952 Wooldridge May 29, 1956 

